A major indicator of efficiency, the Environmental Protection Agency’s Energy Star program, may be losing ground. A feature article in the October 2008 issue of Consumer Reports Magazine  makes this surprising argument. The major non-profit organization says more electronics are meeting Energy Star standards. Why? Not the reason you might think. Instead of companies improving energy efficiency, Consumer Reports says the Energy Star program is not keeping pace with current technology and high volume usage of products.

According to Consumer Reports, before new protocols were introduced, 92 percent of all dishwashers on the market met Energy Star standards. That number is now down to 50 percent, but is still far above the 25 percent of appliances that the EPA says should meet Energy Star regulations. Consumer Reports is calling for:

-Updated energy test procedures and standards
-Independent verification of manufactures’ self-reported test results
-A graded qualifying system for Energy Star (more helpful for consumers)
-Tougher policing of standards by federal officials

It may sounds like a lot, but as a government agency charged with protecting all facets of our natural resources, the Environmental Protection Agency should be more on-the-ball.

Unsurprisingly, Consumer Reports’ article has ruffled some feathers at the EPA. Kathleen Hogan, Director of the Climate Protection Partnerships Division of the EPA, wrote an open letter to the editor of Consumer Reports. She states that the article misses the, “basic purpose of the Energy Star program.” Having more products qualify for the Energy Star program is, “a goal of the program — not a fundamental flaw or an indication that the requirements are lax, as the article suggests.”

Of course, Consumer Reports disagrees, which is clearly stated in their written response. According to the Consumer Reports’ blog, the two organizations “currently agree to disagree.” Considering consumers have a hard time trusting government agencies already, this may be another push towards the tipping point of environmental reform in America.

What can you do as a consumer to make sure you're making the best decision for the environment (and your wallet) when you're purchasing a new appliance? Use the Energy Star system as a guide, not a free pass; look at exactly how much it will take comparable machines to run for a year (this is displayed on the Energy Star label)- cheaper means less money and less CO2 emissions. There is a huge difference in power use and savings even among Energy Star labelled products- look for the most efficient unit in your price range, and consider paying a bit more for a less power-hungry machine- you'll earn the extra money you've spent up front down the road in lower electricity bills.